THE WORLD ORGANISATION FOR ANIMAL HEALTH (OIE) AND THE GLOBAL CONTROL OF EPIZOOTIC DISEASES
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THE WORLD ORGANISATION FOR ANIMAL HEALTH (OIE) AND THE GLOBAL
CONTROL OF EPIZOOTIC DISEASES
Domenech, J., Vallat, B.
World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), 12 rue de Prony, 75017, Paris, France
SUMMARY
The OIE is the main global organization dedicated to Manuals, provide a scientific basis for the control of animal
improving animal health and welfare globally with clear diseases and zoonoses and the prevention of disease
mandates and missions to enhance knowledge on animal spread via international trade in animals and their
diseases, including zoonoses, and ensure transparency on products. Other activities and programs including the ones
the part of its 178 Member countries. OIE Members have developed with partners are described particularly in the
the obligation to submit information on their animal field of capacity building through training of Veterinary
disease situation to the OIE in a timely and transparent Services in order to support their key roles to insure good
manner. To accomplish its mandate, the OIE manages the governance in preventing and controlling diseases and in
World Animal Health Information System (WAHIS) and its contributing to public health and food safety. Overviews of
WAHID interface, which provides public access to data international and regional control or eradication programs
validated by the OIE. The OIE also establishes for three selected diseases (foot and mouth disease,
international standards for the prevention, diagnosis, rinderpest and highly pathogenic avian influenza)
reporting, control and management of listed animal are presented to illustrate the OIE’s role and activities in
diseases. The standards, which are published in the supporting its Members in the global control of epizootic
Terrestrial Animal Health Code and related Codes and diseases.
INTRODUCTION
Animal and animal products play a major role in food one region to another very rapidly and over long
security in providing high nutritional value proteins. In distances. Global changes, including climate, natural and
addition animal energy and manure increase crop cultivated land management systems, wildlife, vector
production and animal production provides key revenues ecosystems, are among the driving factors for the
to people including millions of poor small holders in emergence or re-emergence of diseases and international
developing countries. crises. The examples have multiplied during the past ten
Animal diseases are recognized to be one of the main years with eg. foot and mouth disease (FMD) in Europe,
causes for reduced productivity of domestic animals and Nipah in Asia, H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza,
they are also at the origin of many serious human bluetongue… and it becomes more and more obvious that
diseases, mainly due to direct transmission of animal there is a need to consolidate or to improve the
pathogens to humans or through food. Therefore capabilities of the veterinary services and their partner
prevention and control strategies against the spread of stakeholders, including the private sector, in order to
diseases and pathogens in animals are of crucial implement effective prevention and control strategies.
importance for the prevention of human zoonotic These strategies to control transboundary and/or zoonotic
diseases, safety of food of animal origin as well as food diseases which are at the origin of important losses in
security, animal welfare and the environmental animal production and of major national or international
implications of livestock production. crises are considered to be public goods; decision makers
A recent review on the role of veterinary activities in and donors should invest more in this field.
supporting global food security was presented at the 79th The OIE had played a significant role since its
General Session of the OIE i in May 2011 (1). establishment in 1924 and today it has become the
Due to increased movements of animals, animal products leading international organization supporting the global
and humans, particularly related to globalization of trade control of epizootic diseases at the service of its Member
and development of tourism, pathogens can move from Countries.
ROLE OF THE OIE IN THE GLOBAL CONTROL OF EPIZOOTIC DISEASES
The OIE was created in 1924 as an intergovernmental The mandate of the OIE is now become wider than when
organization based in Paris. As at May 2011, there are five it was initially established. It has broadened its mandate
Regional Representations and 6 Sub-Regional from ‘preventing the spread of diseases throughout the
Representations. 178 countries and territories are world’ to ‘the improvement of animal health and welfare,
members of the OIE. veterinary public health and consolidation of the animal’s
role worldwide’.The missions and objectives of the OIE are described in its multidisciplinary and multisectoral collaborations between
5th Strategic Plan (2011-2015) (27). They address animal and human health sectors, wildlife and ecologists,
transparency of the global animal disease situation, hunters, fishermen, as well as socio-economists and
dissemination of veterinary scientific information, faming system specialists. This cross-sectoral cooperation
international solidarity in the control of animal diseases, and strong partnership represents the basis of the “One
safeguarding world trade by publishing health standards, Health” vision for managing risk at the animal-human
supporting the improvement of national Veterinary interface ecosystems. In April 2010 OIE, FAO ii and WHO iii
Services and providing better guarantees for food and published an official concept note setting out this
animal welfare. The final objectives and activities important tripartite agreement to share responsibilities
regarding prevention and control of diseases are based on and to coordinate global activities. (30)
a chain of basic essential tools and methods providing for It is important to point out that, through the publication of
good surveillance, early detection of pathogen incursions norms and guidelines and through direct interaction with
and warning , emergency response to new outbreaks its Member Countries, where capacity building programs
having the potential to become epizootics and better long are currently being implemented for national policy
term control of enzootic diseases. makers, the OIE gives them an important support to
Due to the increased risk of emergence of new pathogens prepare strategies and meet all generic and specific
and the multiplicity of factors involved, OIE promotes a conditions to prevent and control major transboundary
more holistic approach and the development of diseases.
Enhance knowledge and elaborate standards
The network of OIE Collaborating Centers and Reference The OIE publishes two Codes (Terrestrial Animal Health
Laboratories constitutes the core of the organisation’s Code and Aquatic Animal health Code) (12, 21)to assure
global scientific expertise. The OIE Specialist Commissions the sanitary safety of international trade in live animals
(Terrestrial Animal Health Standards Commission, and their products. The Manual of Diagnostic Tests and
Scientific Commission for Animal Diseases, Biological Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals (17) and of Diagnostic
Standards Commission, Aquatic Animal Health Standards Tests for Aquatic Animals (13)describe internationally
Commission) use the best current scientific information to agreed laboratory diagnostic techniques and vaccines.
address all issue related to prevention and control of By making available to Member Countries all the scientific
animal diseases and to develop standards and guidelines. information, standards and guidelines published by the
All documents from the OIE Specialist Commissions are OIE, the Organization helps them to better define and
published as well as the reports from relevant Working implement methods and strategies in order to prevent and
and ad hoc Groups, making possible comments from control animal diseases and to secure sanitary safety of
partner organization and most importantly from all the international trade of animals and animal products.
178 national OIE Delegates. All standards have to be The OIE scientific network is composed of expert centers
adopted by the OIE World Assembly, which meets every for animal diseases: 190 Reference Laboratories covering
year in May at the OIE General Assembly in Paris. 101 diseases or topics (19) and 37 Collaborating Centers
covering 35 horizontal topics.(16)
Disease information
To accomplish its mandate, the OIE manages the World recognition of national’s disease statuses for trade
Animal Health Information System (WAHIS) (25) and its purposes is linked with on the WTO iv Agreement on the
World Animal Health Information Database (WAHID) (26) Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS
interface which provides public access to data validated by Agreement 1995) (33) and on binding commitment of
the OIE. OIE Members through their official membership to the
Comprehensive, reliable and transparent sanitary OIE.The global legal basis for notification of animal
information represents an absolute basis for an effective diseases is described on the OIE website. This a an
animal disease prevention and control system. A full range important issue because a country’s credibility is based on
of information is available from immediate notifications transparent notification of outbreaks and sharing of
and follow-up reports submitted by Member Countries in information relevant to disease risks. It is an unconditional
response to exceptional events; from six-monthly reports duty of all OIE Members to disclose all relevant
on the national disease situation regarding the OIE listed information, even if notification of diseases may have
diseases, and from other reports including specific data negative impacts on trade, particularly with regard to
regarding diseases such as avian influenza or bovine export markets. These obligations are set out in the OIE
spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). Once they have been Organic Statutes.
received and validated immediate notifications are The WAHIS allows all members to be on line electronically
published under the heading ‘alert’ open to all Delegates with a server located in the OIE headquarters which gives
and other interested parties (22). OIE also has the the capacity to relay and make immediately public
mandate to officially recognize the animal disease status worldwide sanitary information.
for BSE, contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP), FMD In addition to information provided by OIE National
and rinderpest (RP). This allows countries to gain the trust Delegate, other information can come from other credible
of trading partners, neighboring countries and the sources such as OIE Reference Laboratories. Unofficial but
international community. The specific mandate of OIE in reliable information is also used by the OIE in conducting
the field of disease information dissemination and further investigation and confirmation of informationprovided by the veterinary authority. This rumor tracking epidemiology and improve global early warning as well as
system, managed by OIE specialists, proves to be very transparency among countries.
effective and it strongly complements the official As already said about scientific knowledge and standards,
declaration system. disease information dissemination represents a crucial tool
The analysis of all this sanitary information, with reference to help non infected countries preparing themselves to
to the epidemiological context, allows an assessment to be better prevent the introduction of pathogens, to define
made of the evolution of the animal health situation and emergency plans and, in case of any new outbreak
the publication of alert messages. The OIE, FAO and WHO occurrence, to better respond to eliminate the pathogen
have set up a Global Early Warning System (GLEWS) (8) and avoid disease spread.
to synergistically address the complexity of disease
GOVERNANCE, EDUCATION AND CAPACITY BUILDING FOR VETERINARY SERVICES
Good veterinary governance relies on efficient national on this topic in October 2009 (14). The conference was
Veterinary Services (VS), complying with the OIE quality attended by deans of veterinary education establishments
standards. National VS represent the corner stone of any from all around the world. The OIE is now undertaking
effective animal health system at the national, regional or important work to follow-up the conference
international levels. Effective VS need suitable legislation recommendations, including by the development of
and its efficient implementation, a well-defined national recommendations on minimum ‘day 1’ competencies for
chain of command and relevant diagnostic capacities for veterinary graduates, to enable veterinary services
surveillance and detection, and response support to (private and public components) to meet the OIE quality
disease outbreaks. Alliances also need to be developed standards.
between the public and private sectors (farmers, private One of the most important OIE objectives is to strengthen
veterinarians, traders, consumers…). the capacity of members’ Veterinary Services to participate
With regard to veterinary education, the OIE is working to in the development of international standards and
improve the quality of veterinary education globally and to guidelines and to implement them, thereby achieving the
support international recognition of veterinary improvement of animal health and veterinary public health
qualifications and greater mobility of professionals. globally. OIE makes all necessary efforts towards capacity
Recognising the global need to adaptat veterinary building through implementing appropriate training
education curricula to the evolving global risks and activities directed to the Delegates and their national key
societal expectations, the OIE held a 1st Global Conference competent teams of thematic focal points.
Economic studies
Economic studies on the prevention and control of animal that prevention is less expensive than control of epizootics
diseases worldwide have been conducted by the OIE. (2, 11, 31). The OIE will continue to assess the cost-
Economic studies on the cost of prevention versus benefit of prevention and/or control programs against
outbreak management and on the cost of national major diseases. Such studies are indispensable for
prevention systems for animal health and zoonosis in effective advocacy in favor of investing in prevention and
developing and ‘in transition’ countries generally showed control of diseases.
Collaboration with partners
OIE does not work in isolation and it has signed Transboundary Animal Diseases (GF-TADs) which serves
collaboration agreements with many partners, among as an institutional basis to develop joint activities. Other
them are public international (FAO, WHO, Codex specific joint tools have been established with FAO such as
Alimentarius, IPPC v , WB vi …) and regional organizations the OIE-FAO Network of Influenza virus Laboratories
(EU vii , AU-IBAR viii , PAHO ix , SADC x , ASEAN xi …) as well as (OFFLU) (29), the FAO-OIE-WHO Global Early Warning
bodies representing the private sector (SSAFE xii , IFAH xiii , System (GLEWS) (12), several Regional Animal Health
WVA xiv , IMS xv , IDF xvi , FEI xvii …). Centers or the Crisis Management Center for Animal
A specific agreement has been signed with FAO, the Health (CMC-AH).
Global Framework for the progressive control of
Support to Member Countries
OIE provides support to its Member Countries for the Other specific tools and programs can be mentioned,
improvement of animal health through the use of several notably the Performance of Veterinary Services
tools and projects. (PVS) Pathway (23) which is a global program for the
The importance of providing scientific information, sustainable improvement of Veterinary Services’
standards and guidelines or disease information has compliance with OIE quality standards. Two chapters of
already been mentioned, as well as education and training the Terrestrial Animal Health Code are dedicated to the
activities for improvement of Veterinary Services for good quality of Veterinary Services. To support these goals,
governance. appropriate legislation is also needed. The OIE PVS
Pathway starts with the PVS Evaluation (which assess thecompliance of veterinary services using the indicators set national and regional levels with the objective of
out in the PVS Tool). This initial assessment may be improving the North-South balance. Each twinning project
followed by several steps, including the PVS Gap Analysis links an existing OIE Reference Laboratory or
(which addresses the needed investments to support Collaborating Center with a selected laboratory in a
compliance with the OIE quality standards, according to developing country.
the country’s national priorities). Other activities include OIE has also developed a concept of vaccine banks (24)
missions to assess the quality of the national veterinary which create virtual rolling stocks. This enables the rapid
legislation, laboratory support (see below) and follow-up direct supply from the private company provider of
missions. emergency stocks of vaccines when urgently needed.
Laboratory Twinning (15) is another program of the Vaccines remain with the supplier and this concept has
OIE which aims at improving laboratory diagnostic been applied to avian influenza, FMD and rabies.
capacities and building specialized expertise at the
OVERVIEW OF CONTROL PROGRAMMES FOR THREE SELECTED DISEASES
The OIE has implemented a number of programs to international activities to fight against FMD, RP and H5N1
control major transboundary diseases, most of the time in AI. The control strategies and tools against these three
collaboration with other international and regional diseases are typically classed as global public goods since
organizations and with donor’s support. Several could be they benefit all countries, or several groups of countries,
mentioned here, either programmes for the development and all populations and future generations, and these
of tools (e.g. GLEWS, PVS, Global laboratory Networks benefits extend beyond national borders and not just the
such as the OIE/FAO Network of expertise on animal productivity of livestock populations (the fight against
influenzas (OFFLU), CMC-AH), generic initiatives (e.g. the poverty and food insecurity, contribution to public health
“One Health” vision) or programs addressing the control of and food safety notably in developing countries).
specific diseases (e.g. BSE, rabies, H1N1 Influenza …). Moreover, a single country failing to control the disease
Three examples will be presented to illustrate how the OIE can have adverse consequences for neighbouring or even
has contributed to the support national, regional and distant countries
Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD)
FMD is one of the most contagious animal diseases and its trade, surveillance and diagnostic methods and tools, and
transboundary nature is accentuated by the rapid vaccines, published in the Terrestrial Code and the
development of international trade in animals and animal Terrestrial Manual.
products. Due to the economic losses it causes, FMD is
one of the major diseases affecting production and trade
of food of animal origin. Currently, out of the 178 OIE
Member Countries, 96 do not have an FMD free status, 66
countries are officially recognised as FMD free (65 without
vaccination and 1 with vaccination) and 16 countries have
one or more zones officially recognised as FMD free (10
without vaccination and 6 with vaccination) (25, 26). The
possibility for countries or zones to be officially recognized
as free by the OIE represents a strong incentive for many
of them and consistence towards global control objectives.
The evolution of the FMD situation worldwide is well
documented by the OIE, which continuously collects data
on outbreaks notified by countries and publishes them,
notably in the form of geo-referenced maps (WAHID and
WAHIS systems). OIE and FAO Reference Laboratories for
FMD, in particular the Institute for Animal health (IAH)
which the FMD Reference Laboratory at Pirbright (United
Kingdom), monitor and publish details of the virus strains
circulating in infected countries (10). The epidemiological
situation is also analysed and published by the joint
FAO/OIE/WHO platform GLEWS and by a number of
regional bodies, such as the FAO’s EuFMD Commission xviii
(3), AU-IBAR, EU–DG SANCO xix and PAHO/Panaftosa. In
view of the global situation the OIE, with partners such as
FAO and regional organisations, is mobilising to encourage
Member Countries and donors to increase their efforts
aimed at better control of the disease. Ever since its
creation, the OIE has backed up and supported scientific
and technical advances by developing standards and
guidelines applicable to FMD control and internationalIn South-East Asia, the OIE and the member countries of global strategy, in collaboration with the regional bodies
ASEAN have, since the end of the 1990s, developed a and relevant experts and by analysing the results of
programme for the progressive control of FMD within the strategies currently being implemented in Member
region, called SEAFMD xx (32). Coordination plays an Countries, particularly in regions where positive results
important part and all aspects of the programme are have been achieved.
continuously monitored and evaluated. Positive results Several international conferences have helped to advance
have been obtained, such as OIE recognition of countries, knowledge of FMD, both in terms of the situation in the
or zones within countries, as being FMD free, either with various countries and in terms of the development of new
or without vaccination (Indonesia, Brunei, Philippines, tools such as the PCP document (5) prepared by FAO and
Malaysia). The programme includes the establishment of the OIE, with contributions from numerous experts. The
buffer zones between infected zones and of priority document is available on the websites of both FAO and
control zones such as those of Myanmar, the Lower the OIE. It will be an essential tool for implementing and
Mekong, the Red River Delta and the Upper Mekong. This monitoring the global strategy. It describes a set of
chronological, sequential approach, based on activities, divided into different stages, which can be used
epidemiological characteristics and benefiting from strong to evaluate the stage of advancement of a country or
political involvement on the part of ASEAN member region in their FMD control and eradication programmes.
countries and sound governance, is a good example of Another major advance in the OIE’s involvement in the
what can be achieved collectively at a regional level for implementation of a global strategy is the preparation of a
the benefit of each partner country. China, Brunei and new article for Chapter 8.5. of the Terrestrial Code which
Singapore became recently members and the name of the provides for the OIE to endorse national FMD control
program changed as SEACFMD. The case of South programmes submitted to it by countries involved in the
America and its Southern Cone region is worth looking as PCP pathway and that are not FMD free. The new control
the results achieved are very positive and can also serve programme being submitted to the OIE will mark the
as a model. An agreement called PAMA xxi , signed by the country’s entry into the pathway to eradication. This
regional body Mercosur and its member countries and programme will be accompanied by a list of documents
specific agreement between the OIE and the Mercosur demonstrating that the country is in a position to
PVC, signed in March 2007, provided for the setting up implement it successfully particularly with regards to
and monitoring of activities in border zones, known as effectiveness of the Veterinary Services, knowledge of the
“high surveillance” zones where surveillance and disease FMD situation in the country, a major reduction in the
prevention operations have been considerably impact of the disease, the existence of suitable legislation,
strengthened (18). effective surveillance and diagnostic systems, the
However, the time has come to take a new step forward existence of contingency plans, etc…
and, building on previous advances, embark on a phase The OIE’s policy on support for FMD control is reflected in
involving the development and implementation of a global a series of decisions and actions designed to help
control programme, with particular emphasis on regions of countries control the disease and to organise the
the world where the disease remains enzootic and which necessary level of worldwide coordination to implement a
represent an increasingly serious threat to FMD free global strategy. Several regions have managed to achieve
countries. Defining a global strategy and convincing lasting eradication, though they still face the risk of virus
governments and donors to make a proactive commitment reintroduction and must therefore maintain constant
are among the conclusions and recommendations of the vigilance. In contrast, numerous developing countries are
OIE/FAO Global Conference on FMD, held in Asunción, experiencing more difficult conditions and help needs to
Paraguay, in June 2009 (28). In line with the conclusions be mobilised to assist them in their efforts, which will of
of the OIE/FAO Global Conference on FMD held in course have direct favourable consequences by reducing
Asunción in June 2009 and its recommendations, a Global the risk of re-infection for FMD free countries. It is
FMD Working Group, reporting to the GF-TADs Global therefore in the interests of FMD free countries to help
Steering Committee, was set up, associating the OIE and infected countries eradicate the disease.
FAO. The Working Group is tasked with proposing a draft
Rinderpest
Rinderpest was the most devastating disease of cattle. It swine fever) laid the groundwork for what were to
is believed to have originated in Asia later spreading to become OIE-recommended international health policies.
other continents including Africa through the transport of The OIE's first steps in rinderpest control consisted in the
cattle. Rinderpest is an infectious viral disease of cattle, establishment of scientific cooperation with existing
domestic buffalo and some species of wildlife. Death rates national research institutes in order to detect the most
during outbreaks were usually extremely high, efficient methods for fighting the spread of rinderpest,
approaching 100% in immunologically naïve populations. including the production and standardisation of safe and
Rinderpest is a very special disease for the OIE since its effective vaccines, and to achieve a strategic consensus
creation was decided in 1924, following a new incursion of on the scientific bases of the organisation’s actions aiming
the virus in Europe. Nearly 90 years later, the initial at controlling and preventing rinderpest in the Member
recommendations to promote a coordinated international Countries.
effort for the control of rinderpest and other epizootics Mass vaccination campaigns which started in the years
listed at that time (foot and mouth disease, anthrax, 1960s led to an important decline in the disease. But it
sheep and goat pox, rabies, glanders, dourine, classical reappeared on the African continent in the 1980s. Theinternational response was once again supported by the This procedure represented an important example of
OIE's action, in particular the publication of recommended major improvement for the policies of cooperation and
standards for the establishment of rinderpest coordination amongst international organizations and
epidemiological surveillance systems. This contained what between those and the international community as a
was called the "OIE Pathway" for eligible Member whole. It is also a success for veterinary services and the
Countries to be officially recognised as enjoying entire veterinary profession.
rinderpest-free status, which initially set out three steps In 2011, the official proclamation by the FAO and the OIE
that each infected country had to take in order to obtain of planetary rinderpest eradication is a cause for
such recognition by the OIE (20). celebration, and coincides with the 250th anniversary of
The FAO started in the 1990s coordinating the GREP – the official creation of the veterinary profession. This is
Global Rinderpest Eradication Programme (4) – in the first time an animal disease has been eradicated in the
collaboration with the OIE and the UN International world.
Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) xxii and with massive support One last challenge remains during the post-eradication
to eligible countries from donors such as the European phase. Although the rinderpest virus no longer circulates
Union, with the aim of obtaining, by 2011 at the very amongst live animals, it is still present in certain
latest, an official declaration of world rinderpest laboratories. International coordination and cooperation
eradication. will once again prove crucial in order to define acceptable
During the past years, countries have successively been conditions for the possession and use of the virus in a
recognized as rinderpest-free by the OIE, with permanent limited number of highly bio secure laboratories, to be
support from the FAO. These national statuses were used for research and production of vaccines in the event
approved by the OIE General Assembly yearly sessions the disease was to reappear due to an accident or an act
after being recommended by the OIE Scientific of bioterrorism (Rinderpest was one of more than a dozen
Commission for Animal Diseases on the basis of the agents that the United States researched as potential
analysis of the dossiers presented to expert’s members of biological weapons before suspending its biological
a RP ad hoc OIE Group. The experts systematically weapons program).
verified the absence of rinderpest viral circulation in all
countries concerned.
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza due to H5N1
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza due to H5N1 was an A joint Global Strategy was published by OIE and FAO and
unprecedented crisis. The importance of the crises was revised every year (6) and the available tools were
due to dramatic destruction of assets (over 300 million promoted and used in strong collaboration between OIE,
poultry have died), Market shocks (fears of consumers FAO and WHO (surveillance and disease intelligence,
drive down demand, import bans, poultry prices increased stamping out, biosecurity, movement control,
or decreased, global trade changes with winners and vaccination…).
losers). Internationally, in 2004-05, there was a 8% Some specific tools and methods were developed and
decline in global poultry trade and the national impact was tested through pilot studies or wider programs such as the
also related to the Livelihoods impacts of the disease and use of Community-Based Disease Surveillance, particular
control programs: killing birds meant compensation disease intelligence to address the emergence or re
needed, restriction of movement and sales meant emergence of new pathogens with regard to global
smallholders recovered slowly and lost market share. changes, hot spots identification. Culling compensation
Without forgetting to mention loss of income for food, studies were carried out and FAO, IFPRI xxiii , OIE and
education of children and other household expenses..., as World Bank published a document in 2008 (9) addressing
well as changes to the structure of poultry market chains, issues and practices as well as management of
and the gender issue (poultry is often owned and compensation. FAO, OIE, and WB also published a Report
managed by women). on Biosecurity: Issues and options, in August 2008 (7).
On top of these socio economic impacts, the importance Regarding vaccination strategies, FAO and OIE worked
of the HPAI crises was directly related to the major human together intensively. FAO supported vaccination programs
risk of an international pandemic. in several countries and OIE established an ad hoc group
HPAI has a complex epidemiology and there are multiple who published a guideline on vaccination which addressed
factors to be considered as risk factors such as weak issues such as the various options for vaccination
economies and animal health services, poultry production strategies, the need for quality controlled vaccines (OIE
systems, movements (local, regional, international trade, Standards), post-vaccination monitoring, the DIVA xxiv
legal, illegal), cultural practices, wild birds migrations… approach and the necessary exit strategy.
The OIE has started to respond to the crises as soon as it The Cooperation between OIE and FAO was developed in
appeared end of 2003. The information system, through various fields. The FAO - OIE GF TADS agreement signed
official declarations to the OIE and dissemination of the in 2004 proved to be an excellent mechanism to develop
information was a crucial way of mobilizing the these collaborations. Many tools, already mentioned above
governments and donors as well as the national veterinary were established or strengthened such as the network of
services and regional and international organizations and reference laboratories and centers (OFFLU), the Global
donors. WHO collected the human health information and Early Warning System (GLEWS), the Crises Management
FAO started to analyze the epidemiology evolutions. Center for Animal Health (CMC-AH), FAO OIE Regional
Animal Health Centers... FAO, in collaboration with theOIE, established several Regional Networks on A number of lessons were learnt in many fields such as
epidemiology, diagnostic and research laboratories, socio the need to be ready to respond quickly to emergencies in
economics or communication. order to stop the outbreaks before they spread and
The intersectoral cooperation was also an important area become a crisis through emergency preparedness and
of collaboration particularly between human and animal short term improved capabilities including the need for
health systems and with other sectors (wildlife, financial compensation for poultry owners , the need to
environment, trade, tourism, police, medias, land better address the socio economic issues (economic
management…). As a matter of fact the HPAI crises analysis inputs to disease epidemiology to support risk
showed how important these interactions are and it assessments, socio economic impacts of HPAI, costs and
allowed to identify many areas for improvement. The work cost-effectiveness of prevention and control measures,
done on HPAI represented a very stimulation starting long term restructuring and socio economic impacts on
point to develop the “One Health Strategy” together with small holders including mitigation options…) and impacts
FAO and WHO in association with UNICEF xxv , UNSIC xxvi , on biodiversity.
WB, EU and many other partners. Other lessons were that there is a need to develop public-
The global results are that the situation improvement private partnership at all levels as well as more
dramatically compared with 2006. There were more participatory approaches with regard to small holders-
transparency, more awareness and preparedness, villagers and more focus on disease drivers and not only
strengthened Veterinary Services, more sensibilisation and on disease events.
commitment. Improved knowledge of the disease, of its And on top of that capacity building through training,
epidemiology and of root causes of emergence and spread particularly directed to the public and private components
were obtained and socio economic impacts are better of Veterinary Services, as well as communication and
known. information should be strongly supported.
But the virus is still present in a few countries (around 5 The credo of the OIE, in collaboration with its partners, to
to 6) and recurrent introduction or reintroduction of the better prevent and control such great crises could be
virus in countries or regions can be seen. Understanding summarized by “effective surveillance, early detection,
roots of disease emergence and develop long term global early warning and rapid response”. This needs more
approaches are necessary and remaining gaps are to be investment, strong government political commitment to
filled through research in areas such as virology, implement and enforce the prevention and control
epidemiology, trade routes, animal-human transmission, measures, more private-public partnership and good
vaccines, wildlire or socio economics. governance based on Strong Veterinary Services
complying with OIE standards.
CONCLUSIONS
The OIE is the main global organization dedicated to OIE strongly develops. Trainings directed to the
improving animal health and welfare globally with clear Delegates, Chiefs of the Veterinary Services and their
mandates and missions to enhance knowledge on animal teams (composed of focal points responsible for specific
diseases, including zoonoses and ensure transparency on domains), are organized all over the world. These
the part of its 178 Member countries. programs, which include private components of the
Enhance scientific and technical knowledge represents one veterinary services, build solid and indispensable
of its major objective. OIE makes available to its Member foundations to support their key roles to insure good
Countries (MCs) the best scientific information to help governance in preventing and controlling diseases and in
those preparing efficient prevention and control strategies. contributing to public health and food safety. They also
This knowledge also constitutes the basis to prepare OIE allow better interactions between the national veterinary
standards and guidelines which are officially adopted by services themselves and with the entire OIE community.
the 178 MCs. These standards and guidelines provide very An overview of international and regional control or
detailed and comprehensive background to MCs to eradication programs for three selected diseases (foot and
develop and implement programs to mouth disease, rinderpest and highly pathogenic avian
prevent and control diseases which are at the origin of influenza) have illustrated the OIE’s role and activities in
important losses in animal production and of major supporting its Members in the fight against diseases.
national or international crises and which are consequently Several lessons were learnt and some generic ones are
considered to be public goods. considered to be prerequisites if the objective of
Another crucial role is the collection and validation of improving animal health is to be reached. The constant
animal sanitary information. The OIE disease information, challenge to better prevent devastating sanitary crises is
based on a reliable and transparent system based on effective surveillance, early detection, early
(WAHIS/WAHID) provides immediate and detailed reports warning and rapid response and it needs strong
on outbreak events and it represents one of the key OIE government political commitment and more national and
mandate in support to its MCs. These activities are based international investment to implement and enforce the
on various methods and on the unconditional duty of OIE prevention and control measures, more private-public
Members to disclose all relevant information. partnership and good governance based on strong
Several other OIE activities related to global control of Veterinary Services complying with OIE standards. The
epizootic diseases are mentioned in the article and need for more intersectoral cooperation between human
capacity building is certainly one of the most important and animal health systems and with other sectors(wildlife, environment, trade, tourism, police, medias, land to develop the “One Health Strategy” together with FAO
management…) was also an important lesson learnt from and WHO in association with many other partners.
the HPAI crises and OIE has taken a very active position
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OIE: World Organisation for Animal Health
ii
FAO: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations http://www.who.int/en/index.html
iii
WHO: World Health Organization. http://www.who.int/en/index.html
iv
WTO: World Trade Organization. http://www.wto.org/
v
IPPC : International Plant Protection Convention. https://www.ippc.int/
vi
WB: The World Bank http://www.worldbank.org/
vii
EU: European Union. http://europa.eu/index_en.htm
viii
AU-IBAR: African Union – Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources. http://www.au-ibar.org/
ix
PAHO: Pan American Health Organization. http://www.paho.org/
x
SADC: Southern African Development Community http://www.sadc.int/
xi
ASEAN: Association of South-East Asian Nations. http://www.aseansec.org/16580.htm
xii
SSAFE: Supply of Affordable Food Everywhere http://www.ssafe-food.org/15/
xiii
IFAH : International Federation for Animal Health http://www.ifahsec.org/
xiv
WVA : World Veterinary Association http://www.worldvet.org/
xv
IMS: International Meat Secretariat, http://www.meat-ims.org/en/index.php
xvi
IDF: International Dairy Federation, http://www.fil-idf.org/Public/ColumnsPage.php?ID=23077
xvii
FEI: Fédération Equestre Internationale, http://www.horsesport.org/
xviii
EuFMD: European Commission for the Control of Foot-and-Mouth Disease,. http://www.fao.org/ag/againfo/commissions/en/eufmd/eufmd.html
xix
EC-DG SANCO: European Commission- Directorate General for Health and Consumers http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/health_consumer/index_en.htm
xx
SEAFMD: Sub-Commission for Foot and Mouth Disease Control in China and South-East Asia, http://www.seafmd-rcu.oie.int/index.php
xxi
PAMA: Mercosur Free from Foot-and-Mouth Disease Action Program
xxii
IAEA: UN International Atomic Energy Agency, http://www.iaea.org/
xxiii
IFPRI : International Food Policy Research Institute http://www.ifpri.org/
xxiv
DIVA : differentiate infected from vaccinated animals (DIVA tests).
xxv
UNICEF : United Nations of International Children's Emergency Fund http://www.unicef.org/
xxvi
UNSIC : UN System Influenza Coordination, http://www.undg.org/index.cfm?P=21You can also read
